Kenya's engagement in the upcoming Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Uganda and Rwanda could be in jeopardy due to unsettled dues owed to the former Harambee Stars head coach, Adel Amrouche.
Football Kenya Federation and the Algerian tactician have been in a protracted battle over wrongful dismissal by the previous administration in 2014. In a letter from Ammrouche's camp to Fifa, the coach wants Kenya stopped from playing in the preliminary round of qualification unless his dues are paid.
$79000 Debt
"We refer to the matter of the subject as well as to our previous message below. In this respect, please note that the overdue amount of around USD 79000 owed by the FKF to Amrouche still remains outstanding," a letter obtained by Goal read.
"Therefore, according to the decision FDC 200284 dated 26 April 2021, the FKF is to be expulsed from the preliminary competition of the 2022 Fifa World Cup Qatar."
"In view thereof, we kindly request you to confirm by return that the upcoming World Cup qualifiers of the FKF against Uganda on 2 September and Rwanda on 5 September 2021 are cancelled."
When reached for comment, FKF CEO Barry Otieno stated they have not received any communication regarding Amrouche's dues which he maintains is already settled.
"We have not received such kind of a letter and as far as I know, we have cleared settling the dues," Otieno told Goal.
In April 2021, the Fifa disciplinary committee had warned Kenya would not be allowed to play if Amrouche was not paid.
"The Football Kenya Federation is granted a final deadline of 60 days as from notification of the present decision in which to settle its debt to the creditor [Adel Amrouche]," Fifa's letter read then.
"If payment is not made to the creditor and proof of such payment is not provided to the secretariat to the Fifa disciplinary committee by the aforementioned deadline, upon a request of the creditor, the Football Kenya Federation will be expulsed from the preliminary competition of the 2022 Fifa World Cup Qatar without a further formal decision having to be taken by the Fifa disciplinary committee.
"The Football Kenya Federation is directed to notify the secretariat to the Fifa disciplinary committee of every payment made and to provide the relevant proof of payment."
FKF.Initially, the FKF was ordered by CAS to pay the tactician Ksh109 million but in a document dated December 3 2020, the amount has been revised to Ksh89,440,268.
Although Amrouche was sacked by Sam Nyamweya's FKF regime, Nick Mwendwa's administration had promised to settle the dues owed to previous coaches, which also includes Bobby Williamson.
Since he came into office in 2016, Mwendwa has worked with Stanley Okumbi, Paul Put, Sebastien Migne, Francis Kimanzi and now Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee. Mulee has already picked a provisional squad that will hit camp in preparations for the September qualifiers.
Victor Wanyama, Joash Onyango, and Ayub Timbe are among the high-profile players who were not called up for the September 2 and 5 qualifiers.
